Where to buy top-end acoustic?

Flynn

Hey i'm looking to buy a new semi-acoustic. My pre-amp crapped out on my takamine for the second time and don't fancy pumping any more money into it..

So it's onwards and upwards! Thinking Martin, Taylor, Maton that kind of stuff.. (also maybe second hand lowden etc..) I'm living in Galway and music shops here are very poor for guitar selection (unless i'm missing something) Where is my best bet to go to try as many models as i can? What's the biggest in Dublin say?

Don't fancy buying off thomann as I need to play a guitar before i buy it.

Cheers.

Flynn

Some more searchoing has turned up X-Music. Anyone used these guys before?

Smurts

Hey Flynn, yea X-music would be worth a shout. Goodwins on Capel Street in Dublin is a Martin dealer, I think Jimi's Music Store in Ballymount is aswell. There's a pre-owned semi-acoustic Taylor on Jimi's website I see at the minute.

No idea about who is best as regards prices but Im sure you can bargain with the above.

Adverts.ie is your best bet in my opinion if youre looking for a deal though!

mountai

Is Guild top end enough?? if so pm me

Rigsby

While there does not seem to be many acoustic guitars on the site at present, you could give "Someneck Guitars" a ring.

http://www.someneckguitars.com/collections/guitars?page=1

martinedwards

Avalon are back in Business..........

they'll make you something really nice..........

of course if you're talking TOP end, then theres Dee McIlroy and Lowden too....

Malice

Flynn wrote: »

I'm living in Galway and music shops here are very poor for guitar selection (unless i'm missing something)

Sadly you're not missing anything. You could try Paul Doyle on Dominic Street but as his stuff is all custom-made it might be a bit expensive.

BrensBenz

I prefer to sit the guitar on my lap before buying. I got my Taylor GS from the Music Shop (Sound Shop???) in Drogheda. Great deal on a wonderful instrument and knowledgeable staff. They also stock Lowdens, Martins, Takamines, etc. Suggest phoning first because their stock changes quickly.

Flynn

thanks or all the reply's. I'm thinking yer right in the second hand department.... would pick up a much better deal. Now to keep my eye out!

johnROSS

Perfect Pitch In Dublin and Steamboat Music down here in Limerick both have impressive collections of Martins Perfect Pitch have a lot of high end stuff.

CiaranK

If you're heading up to the Big Smoke Music Maker, Perfect Pitch, Dublin guitar Centre, guitar Fix and Waltons are all within 5 minutes walk of eachother.

X-Music/Jimi's would be good too, If you come up in the morning, head to first set of shops and you can get a Luas out to X-music/Jimi's Spend the day out.

Hope that helps a bit

brownacid

Try the sound shop in Drogheda, they usually have a few takemines, taylors, breedloves and a few Lowdens and one or two Avalons the last time I was in. I dont think Ive ever seen a Martin in their though. Gary and Phil are th main guys in their an they really know their stuff. They generallly are willing to negotiate, especialy if you seem like you know your stuff and they take a shining to you!
Check out their online store for an idea of what they have
http://soundshop.ie/

Also if you end up in drogheda i would suggest taking a short trip up to Blackrock in Dundalk to have a look at what is in stock in Danny Hughes'. The guys in there are pretty good too and generally have a good selection of Acoustics

Flynn

thanks for the info guys, i'll organise a day trip to the dublin and try hit them all up.. would love to try out a lowden and/or avalon, never been in the same room as one!

Matt Bianco

I've recently been in the same boat as you looking to invest in a quality acoustic. I found the Acoustic Guitar Forum invaluable in deciphering the different elements (wood, scale length, bracing options, nut width etc) that all make up the minute detail which will eventually lead (in theory!) to an acoustic that will bring many hours of enjoyment and inspiration.

There is the holy trinity of Taylor, Martin and Gibson of course, each with their own strengths and weaknesses but it's about diving in a getting a feel for the different tonal properties they have. My own feeling would be that a day trip and guitar blitz may mean a lot to fit in and make a sound judgement, especially as mentioned above, each of these three can't be found under the one roof in Dublin (bar second hand in Someneck Guitars for example). Of course there's online which will cover all the bases and rely on getting a quality setup although this is down to personal preference.

For me, I almost came to pulling the pin on a Guild in Musicmaker that was an excellent deal as it was end of line but after months of perseverance, I landed a Gibson Advanced Jumbo that is stunning IMO

Good luck with the search!

Matt Bianco

PS Don't forget Goodwins who are essentially acoustic specialists and although a little off the beaten track have the guitars set up properly and have sound knowledgeable staff